Best New Midwest Places to Play, Eat and Stay: 2011

Upper Mississippi River Valley: Great River Road Wine Trail

We've known about the scenery forever; now we know about the good vino at 10 wineries between Marquette, Iowa, and Prescott, Wisconsin (greatriverroadwinetrail.org).

Click through the next slides to see 14 more of our picks for the Midwest's best new attractions in 2011— plus 13 top new restaurants (slides 16 through 24) and 10 standout lodgings (slides 25 through 34).

Jasper, Indiana: "Spirit of Jasper" train

The romance of rail travel returns to the southern Indiana countryside, where this beautifully restored train takes summertime evening trips to the resorts at French Lick (812/482-9229; spiritofjasper.com).

Altoona, Iowa: Adventure Bay

Iowa's biggest amusement park, Adventureland, still has a family-friendly, throwback feel, even with 13 slides, a lazy river and swim-up bar in the newly expanded water park (800/532-1286; adventurelandpark.com).

Carmel, Indiana: Arts and Design District

We love the lavish new businesses in Old Town that celebrate arts and style. A snazzy interior design center recalls Chicago's Merchandise Mart. And perfect acoustics and plush heated seats make the Palladium a must-do concert spot (317/571-2787; carmelartsanddesign.com).

McPherson, Kansas: McPherson Opera House

Take a guided tour to learn how a spectacular renovation brought this crumbling palace back to life, 121 years after it opened in 1889. If you can, catch one of the shows; $3 from each ticket goes toward ongoing preservation of the hall (620/241-1952; mcphersonoperahouse.org).

Branson, Missouri: Branson Air Express

Need your Branson fix? The fares on this new airline are unheard of nowadays (from $63 from Des Moines, Chicago and Indy), and the airport shop sponsored by Bass Pro Shops is a fun place to browse (888/359-2541; bransonairexpress.com).

Mason City, Iowa: Architectural Interpretive Center

Frank Lloyd Wright's influence flows from this new center, from his restored Historic Park Inn & Convention Center (left) -- set to open in June -- and from tours of Wright buildings downtown (800/423-5724; visitmasoncityiowa.com).

Duluth: Timber Twister

For a wild six minutes in an open car at 26 mph, hang on tight to this Alpine coaster where you control the speed. And, if you think of it, drink in Lake Superior views from the top of Spirit Mountain before you fly down (800/642-6377; spiritmt.com)

Chicago: Gilt Bar and Restaurant

Rumors of comfy couches and designer cocktails lured us to this low-lit Mag Mile clubhouse. Roasted beets with clementines, feta and peppercorn vinaigrette will bring us back (312/464-9544; giltbarchicago.com).

Knoxville, Iowa: Peace Tree Brewing Company

The fat bottles with cool labels are just so fun (and the microbrews so good), we don't even mind that they don't cook. Hungry? Just use one of the takeout menus behind the bar (641/842-2739; peacetreebrewing.com).

Cleveland: AMP 150

Talk about a surprise. It's in a newly renovated Airport Marriott. It has a garden out back where the chef grows heirloom veggies labeled with cute little chalkboards. And its affordable small-plates menu packs amazing flavor (hello, five-spice marshmallows floating in pumpkin soup) (216/706-8787; amp150.com).

Saint Paul: Heartland

Classic Midwest meat and potatoes? Well, sort of. A James Beard-nominated chef dresses up bison, duck, lamb, pheasant, and, during the winter, his own canned fruits and veggies in a new, huge location in Lowertown (651/699-3536; heartlandrestaurant.com).

Omaha: Hiro 88

Sushi fans have rejoiced over this hip addition to the Old Market district, but even if your favorite Asian food comes in a paper carton with soy sauce packets, you'll find something to love on this eclectic menu (402/933-5168; hiro88.com).

Madison, Wisconsin: L'Etoile

A new location in the U.S. Bank Plaza building gives this beloved restaurant, known across the country for its haute green cuisine and stunning wine pairings, room to breathe. Graze, a new gastropub across the hall, lets diners on a budget join the party (608/251-0500; letoile-restaurant.com).

Lodgings: Chicago's Elysian

632. That's the square footage of a standard king room at this French-inspired boutique hotel known for lavish art, in-room fireplaces and carrara marble baths. From $375 (800/500-8511; elysianhotels.com).

Indianapolis: JW Marriott

Opening in February, this 34-story, 1,005-room wonder will be a posh place to crash across from White River State Park and round out the new five-hotel Marriott Place. From $199 (866/704-6162; jwindy.com).

Chicago: Ritz-Carlton

A $25 million renovation gives this Mag Mile site a fresh look. A battalion of attentive staff stands ready to serve, and guests shop at the Water Tower Place below. From $375 (312/266-1000; fourseasons.com/chicagorc).

Novi, Michigan: Baronette Renaissance Detroit

Special touches at this 155-room suburban boutique hotel are all about Michigan--music, manufacturing and cars, plus Zingerman's cheese and Lake Huron trout at the on-site restaurant. From $109 (248/349-7800; thebaronette.com).

Chicago: Hotel Palomar

They had us with the Rat Pack-esque doormen, free daily wine reception and the nods to Chicago history, including cool photos of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. From $199 (877/731-0505; hotelpalomar-chicago.com).

Shell Knob, Missouri: Stonewater Cove

In the mood to splurge? Then head to this secluded resort with sumptuous king beds, in-room leather sofas, rainfall showers, and on-site zip-lining, ATV rides and boating. From $437, meals included (800/792-3956; stonewatercove.com).

(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® January/February 2011.)